Perforating machine



W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER PERFORATING MACHINE Aug. 18, 1925. 1,550,620

Filed Nov. 28, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet l 5?. F. LAUTENSCHLAG'ER vPERFORMING MACHINE Aug. w, i925. 1,550,620

Filed Nov. 28 1924 4 SheetsrSheet 2 anvcmfoz;

m J I Aug. 18, 1925. 1,550,620

w. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER PERFORATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 1 1925.

iii!

l iigllli W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER PERFORATING MACHINE Fil ed Nov-. 28 1924 awn. J E

4 Sheets-$heet 4 Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

winnmns'r'. nn-nrnnsonnnenn, or CINCINNATI/OHIO, A's's eno n mount: rumpnss MAGH'I'NERY comma-Y, A coirronnrion 'or MASSACHUSE TS." I

rnnrom'rrue xnenmn 'Applicam mea mam-a1 28, 1924; Serial 1%. #52579;

T0 l whom z t may. con e Be it known that 1;, EL -ra n QH GER, a c tizen. of the] and residingat Gill(Jinn-aid in-the county. of Hamil onanc St tQIQ JOh O, have in n e anew and useful; Perforating Machine, of which the following's'pecification is a full disclosure. I V I This invention relates in general to punching or perforating machines, and pa r ticularl-y to improvements in automatioper forators ordinarily used for punchlng'openings in shoe parts, such as uppers, Vamps,

. tips, -etc. but' also usedfor other classes of goods and on other materials. The herein machine, althoughused f or-punching or cutting a. line of perforations, generally adja--' cent the edge of a jflat shoepart,tglove or sweat band, is particularly adapted for punching closed amps 'of annular configun' ation.

The difficulty experienced in punching closed Vamps on -cylinder arm machines of the right-hand type is due to the factthat the workis presented to the punching instrumentaliti'es over the left end of the cylinder arm,and that the body of the vamp hangs'downwardly at rightpangles to that portion of thevamp being-perforated,which causes simmer cat ches'on the arm and assumes 7 unnatural strained position, entirely difierent fromthe position which the body of the vamp assumes when it presented from the right and isallowed to lie naturally in the space between the-punchingi'nstrumentalites and the column of the frame. These difficulties occur particularly "when the throat portion is approaching or is adj acent'thepunch, where sharp turning-or flattenirrg' is necessary, In this instance the goods must be u'nn-atural ly twisted 'or buckled to; cause thesamei to assume the proper position or relation to'engage for advancement by-th-e punch. On'the ordinary commercial types of machines now inuse, av

work arm or support extends from thecolu-mn to the left over the base and in order to obtain "suffic ent rigidity-the arm 15 generallyio f relatively large diameter, considerj ablygreaterthanthe-diameter of the throat A T N n ted States,-

portion of the closed vamp, and therefore, th1$ port/ .011" abuts the arm in an unnatural manner reSLi-ltingin buckling :or twisting and therefore in hindrance to the proper feeding :of the goods. 7

My machine eliminates the above enumerd inconveniencesfbylproviding a work 1 support fasan arm-extending upwardly from the base the outer orwork end :overhanging. and; spaced upwardly from. thevbase and away from the columna-nd so construct-- ed and pos1t1oned orIfaiced as to provide a.

free working. spa-( 3con" all sides of, the; supported. pun-ch andjabove and beneath the same,- I permitting the; goods to hang natureally thereover and be freely manipulated and turned or lifted, with particular case i when t ;he throat, or heel portions are appro hes the p ch: v

The main oh ect sto'provide a right hand perforating machine particularly adapted forperforating closed or sewe'dcshoe Vamps, and provlding ample clearance at all sides of the'work support,-and also providing an arrangement of the support with reference to the other parts of the machine, particu-n larly the column, such'as to allow the intnlpv to be introduced upon or about the ,WOIk' support from the right hand side-thereof, be-E tween I the support and the column or mechanism suppo'rtlng element, thus permitting the use of the right hand, for this placing or introduction of the goods, and permitting the punching operation to becompleted by,

bothhands, or if desired, principally by use of the left hand, leaving the right hand free to operate the pulley, when necessary. Another object is to provide amachine of the character mentioned, for general use, but

particularly adapted for punching closed:

vamps which are difficult to properlymanip ulate, especiallyfwhen punching at the: throat or heel portion, and most fdifiicult when the throat is of narrow dimension.

Another object'is to provide a machinein which the paper used under the materialto receive the, punch impacts, is fed in the same direction as the work. 4

Another object is to arrange the paper with respect to the work arm so that there 1m will be no interference between the work and the moving paper, when the work is hung on the work support.

In the machine of the arm type in which an arm extends horizontally from the column toward'the left and the outer unsupported end receives the punch impacts and wherein a plate must be attached to the arm for flat work, and a smaller plate used for closed work, the paper has been made to travel at a right angle to the direction of feed. It has been claimed that interference between work and paper could not be pre vented if the paper traveled in the same direetion with the work, on a machine adapt ed for punching closed Vamps, particularly when starting the punching operation at the heel seam. The herein machine, however, provides for the unobstructed feed of the paper in the same direction as the goods and with economy of paper.

Another feature of the invention in addition to that permitting right hand introduction of the work over the work table, is the general structure of the frame and the particular manner of reinforcing the same by a double rib extending from a point within the work support below and along the base, upwardly within the hollow column and along the lower side of the hollow punch supporting arm, This reinforcing feature is of prime importance inasmuch as it combines lightness with sufficient rigidity of the reinforced parts to prevent deformation incident to punching strains.

In the ordinary commercial types of right hand machines, the generally approved type, (so called because the pulley is at the right and in a most convenient position for control by the right hand as the operator faces the machine) the work supporting arm extends from the main frame toward the left and therefore in the same direction as the punch supporting and operating arm. In the present machine, however, the punch supporting and work supporting arms e1:- tend in opposite directions.

In certain types of commercial machines now in use a removable work plate is employed which is attached to the work arm when flat material is being punched, the plate being attached to this work supporting arm which ezteuds from the main frame in the same direction as the arm which supports the punch and operating mechanism therefor. When closed or annular work is used this plate is removed and a smaller plate substituted and the work introduced over the same from the left end of the machine and hung upon the arm and over the substituted plate, while being manipulated, fed and punched. Moreover, in order to obtain sufficient rigidity of the arm, the same is generally of such large cross sectional dimension that when working at the throat Figure l is a side elevation of my improved punching machine.

Figure 2 is an end View looking at the work end of the machine.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section viewing the work support, in plan, and showing a closed vamp positioned thereon, as when beginning the punching operation from the heel or sewed end thereof, and illustrating how the improved angularly related work arm assists in guiding the goods, the position of the left hand being shown in' dot. and dash lines.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 1 showing a closed vamp positioned upon the work arm, as when operating at the throat portion, and illustrating the clearance between the vamp and other portions of the machine.

Figure 5 is a plan of Figure I, further illustrating the unobstructed relation of the work to the other parts of the machine, the position of both hands of the operator being shown in dot and dash lines.

The present machine is an improvement over that class of perforators or punching machines shown in Patents Nos. 773,329, 765,087 and 843,899, to lVilliam I Lautenschlager, but relates principally to the arrangement of the wort pedestal, punch block and paper guiding and feeding devices adjacent the pedestal, said guiding and feeding devices being arranged to conform with the arrangement and structure of this improved work support or pedestal. Therefore only so much of the other working parts of the machine are shown as seems necessary for a clear understanding of the features of the present improvement.

The general shape of the machine, when viewed from the front or working side, approximates that of a reverse letter G, the over hanging punch head supporting arm and oppositely extending relatively short work support arm being in this design, related to the work support in the manner to suggest the shape. The essential feature, however, is that the arms and end faces thereof extend and face in relatively opposite directions the outer end face of the arm toward the left, and the inner end face of the work support to the right, with the result that closed work can be introduced over the work support or arm from the right, a

relatively large open space being provided between the inner end face of the work arm and the other portions of the frame, and

may be freely manipulated by either-or both hands, raised and flattened without interference with any other part of the machine thus eliminating the necessity for buckling or unnaturally twisting the goods during any'portion of the punching operation.

This present machine also eliminates the use ofthe work plate ordinarily employed and provides for unobstructed manipulation upon both flat and closed Vamps.

The frame is formed in a single piece as a hollow casting suitably strengthened by ribs to adequately withstand the usual operating strains. The frame comprises four principal portions, a horizontal three-sided upwardly curved base 1, adapted to'be at-' tached to the table; a vertically disposed column 2 in which portions of the operating mechanism are housed; an over-hanging punch supporting and operating arm 3, as a forward extension of the column for operatively supporting the punch; and a work supporting arm extending upwardly from the base and curving toward thecolumn to overhang the base. At the outer vertical face of the arm 3 are mounted the cross reciprocating frame 5 and the vertically reciprocating'punch spindle 6,- and these parts are connected by the usual transmission mechanism in a manner substantially similar to the patents above refered to. general punching-and feeding operations of the present machine in no'way differ from that of the patents mentioned.

This vertically and 'horizontally'extending rigid work support orarm 7 has a por tion of itsupper fiat surface 9 underlying the punch spindle and adapted to hold the work and permit unobstructedmanipulation thereof during punching operations.

The arm or work support is of concavoconvex configuration, as viewed in side elevation, see Figures 1 and 1, with its concave inwardly directed side 10 facin'g'the vertical wall 11 of the column 2 forming a relatively short overhanging arm extending in the direction ofthe column. The outer or convex side 12 curves outwardly and downwardly toward the base 1. The: flat horizontallydisposed w'ork'face 9, of

which the concave side is'substantially a,

continuation, provides a support; for the work and hand, shaped to obtaln a convenient rest or support for-it.

The degree of concavity of-the inner side 10 of the arm, and thereforethe depth of the recess determines the extent of overhang of the arm, may be changed, made The greater or less, and is required to give clearance for the hand between the work and the paper, permitting the paper guiding rolls 20 to lie substantially beneath the punch block 15 and over-hanging portion of the. workarm or support. 7

The upper inner end of the worksupport is notched crosswise at its inner end, asat- 13, to-form a seat for receiving the punch block 15,- and said block issec'uredin place by a screw 16, extending upwardly'from beneath." The longdimension of the block lies in a direction of the feedand the same is vertically grooved as at 17 at each end to provide guides for the tape P which receive's the punch impacts to prevent dulling of the punch, and which is fed across the block with the work and in the same direction as the work. The work support is offsetlaterally, relative to the long axis of the frame, see Figures 2, '3 and 5, to provide substantially parallel inclined surfaces, re-' spectively 19, 21, at the rear and front sides, and slanting toward the front or working side of the machine. The combination of the lateral offset and convex curvature above referred to permits the outer portion of the pedestal to be conveniently'grasped by the left hand of the operator when the goods is between the'hand and the pedestal. The degreeof lateral offset and'its relation tovthe direction of feed is such that when working at the heel end of the closed vamp the goods back edge of the support in such a manner I as to dispose the finishedor working edge ,may be bent flatly and naturally over the p glebetween the counter and the working edge E may be slightly varied, the angular offset of the work support materially assists in placing the work naturally which, under these conditions, is usually held by placing the fore and middle finger upon the top of the work, the thumb beneath the work and against the'front inclined side 21 ofthe work support, and the ring finger at the rear side and against the vertically disposed inclined wall19 of the pedestal, this position of the hand being shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 3.

'-The lengthwise dimension of the work face 9 is such that the outer portion of the work generally overhangs the convex portion12,'and when operating'flat. work or at thethroa't portion of a closed vamp, the goods may be conveniently bent downwardly. overv and in conformity to the upper periphery of the pedestal.

Thus the work support, so to speak, rests upon the base and functions as a short arm curvin u wardl and inwardl above the base toward the column and not as an arm extending from the column and therefore yieldable under working strains. My work support therefore has a rigidity under working strains heretofore unknown in this class of machine and this rigidity combined with the spaced relation of its inner or work end with reference to the vertical wall of the main column 8 provides for introduction of goods thereover from the right, and an unobstructed.working space suflicient for the free manipulation of the goods.

The cross dimension of the worksupport is relatively small but the area of the work supporting face sufficiently great to furnish the proper rest'for the goods, yet allow the same to lie dependingly at both sides, if desired.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the ease with which closed work may be manipulated when working at the throat portion T, the vamp being represented at W. It will be noted that the material surrounding the throat portion lies flatly against the upper side of the-support while the remaining portion, including the heel or counterlies unobstructedlybetween the innerend or right face ofthe work support and the vertical wall 11 of the column, the space between these elements being sufficient to accommodate for work of maximum size. In Figure 5 the position of the hands is roughly indicated in dot and dash lines and shows the thumb of the left hand beneath the work lying against the forwardly inclined face '21 while the other fingers of the left hand lie above and'upon the work. The front portion of the goods is grasped by the right hand with the thumb on top of the goods. Figures 4t and 5, thus well illustrate'the manner and. ease with which closed work, particularly closed Vamps, may be manipulated. It will also be notedin Figure 3, when working at the seamed portion of the closed vamp, that the other portion of the vamp can lie looped about the work support without interference with the tape or paper P.

The base 1, see Figure 2, is three sided, the upper side 52, upwardly convexed, and the sides 53' vertically disposed and parallel. Laterall'y extending lugs 54 support the base, which is adapted to be inserted'or placed in an opening 55 provided in the bench 56, and when so placed the lines or corners formed by the intersection of the curved top with the vertical sides, lie flush with the top of the table or bench. The top of the base thus l-ies slightly above the table and forms a continuation thereof eliminating obstructive arm 61 and providing upper and lower bearings 62, 63, the upper of which has rotatably mounted therein a drive shaft 64 extending: lengthwise of the frame and suitably con-' nected with mechanism by which the shaft is rotated to cause a feed of the tape in the direction of the feed of the goods. v V,

The mechanism for operating the shaft 64 is not herein shown inasmuch as it is one of the general features illustrated in the patents above mentioned. The shaft 6f has a roughened roll 65 keyed thereto and has a spurgear 66 keyed thereto meshing with the corresponding spur gear 67 keyedto a shaft 68 journaled at the upper end ofan adjustably swung frame/69 pivoted upon a shaft 70 held in the bracket 60. At the 0pposite end of the shaft 68 is a smooth surfaced roll 71 cooperating with the roll 65, the tape -P passing between the rolls and being fed in the direction of the arrow-s.- In the operation of facing the tapethe same is brought beneath the front roll of the paper guide, rolls 20 rearwardly thereon, upwardly to groove 17, over-the punch block, downwardly in groove 17, from the opposite-end ofthe block around the work support and around the second guide roller, between the rollers, and then upwardly and between the feed rolls. The operation of the tape is. obvious, the chief feature being the manner of disposing the upward and downward runsof the tape after passing-upwardly to, over and downwardly from the-worksupport,-th is arrangement being for the purpose of 1111-. obstructedly disposing the tape so the closed work may be hung upon the support,or work table, and so that sufficient space between the workand the tape may be had.

An adjustable. tension device -75 permits the feed rolls to be properlyfrictionally eugaged against'the paper strip-P, and by means of the knob 76 the tape can be advanced by hand.

The punch spindle is indicated at 6 and the reciprocable punching frame at 5-. The gage finger 45 may be raised to permit' in-- sertion of the goods from the inner or right side as is necessary when operating on closed Vamps or when working around the periphery of the circular opening in the goods. The ordinary form of presser foot is indicated atf6, and the removable punch is shown at 47.

Thegeneral operation on closed Vamps is as follows: The vamp is introduced over the work arm from the right side,-between'the end of the arm and the column 2, substan tially asshown in Figure 3. To obtain thisplacement the gage 45-is raised,-*the goods nuaaao passed thereunder tothe opposi-te side and then brou'ght-backwardly to" engage the" edge against the work end of the gage;- The punching operation is begun at the heel' or seamed portion which is laid flatly 7 against theworking face of the arm, thus avoiding "unnatural buckling or twisting The: punch is now operated, passes through the goods, is then slightly raised to clear "the tape-which lies upon the punch-block and while in the goods, is translated across the tape and block to advance. or feedthe same.- At the endof the- =feed stroke the punch is entirely withdrawn from the goods and returned to initial position during which time the goods is held by the presser foot 46.

The punclnn'g operation continues with 1 the goods always flatly engaged upon'the work support without the necessity of unnaturally buckling or twisting at any time.

'- Du-ring the whole operation those portions of the goods which are'not supported at the upper side of the workarrn overhangthe arm and are pendantly disposed within the throat area herein provided between the end of the work arm and: column To briefly recapitulate,'the machine provides the following advantages':: 1

r A right hand madhineperm'itting .i-ntroduetion of closed work, over the work support from the right hand side of the support; 7

Ample space betweenthe right or'work troduci-ng side of the work support for re 'ceiving the 'go'od's and permitting free use io'f the right hand that side and unob- "structed'niovement of' the work; I

A worksupport offset and shaped to as-' sist in guiding of the work; particularly when working at 'the'heelbr'seamed portion;

A work supper-tee a short oyer hanging "arm of a eon-retention permitting natural grasp thereof with the lefthand while feeding' the Work, and Tammi-1y angularly. disposedwithieference tothe lengaxis ef the maehine and toward the operator for. permining the left hand; wrist and arm to assumea most natural position when hold- 7 ingand feeding the Work. t

Fee, ng of he pap he fii r' cfi n Ofl the feed of the goods;

was off the paper inrun b1 ,i

to ermtthe c o's'ecl stantial ly directly beneath the punch proi'd ne a mo t rig i o s usfi n Adaptation for eperati both een and closed amps withoutfuse of a. work plate and therefore without removal'and attachment of the same for 'diif'erent kinds; ofwlork, permitting gagingat the right side of the work; it i Disposal of" the incoming for l sdwfi ii w k, 4 vamp to b over the work suppbrt;

theb'enchr r "the wall 11\ of the end and the base and punch-c i-nganxoyerhang'ing arm carrying ope Disposal of the worltarin or sl'i'ppo'i't 'subprising; a frame made up of 'punch-carr'ying arm wdrkr'supporting' arm The provision of 'ai maehine base-the upper surface "of" which is substantially level with r. H-a-ving described the intentionyl claim: =1.- In a 'perforating machine the combination'ofa base; a punch-carrying arm and a worlesupporting arm both arms being mounted on said base and the end of said work-'supporting-arm being turned inwardly over said base and beneath said punchc'arrying arm, in order to leave a clear and unobstructed space between said end=andthe base and punch-carrying arm; said space being suflicient to permit the work to be freely suspended from said end and freely handled. v p p Y I t 2. Ina perforating machine the combination of'a base, a punch-carrying arm s'upported on one end. of said base and a orksupporting arm supported on the other end of said base, the end ofs'aid work-supporting arm being turned inwardly over-said base and beneath said"punchbarrying arni order to leave a clear and unobstructed space between said end and the base and punchcarrying arm; said space being sufiicientto permit the work to be freely suspended from said end and freely handled;

3. In a perforating inaeh'ne the combina- I tlon of a column, a punch-carryin arm and a work-supporting ar-n1, both armsfbeing connected to and supported by seid-eolumn, the end of said work sup'porti-ng arm being tamed inwardly over and above its main portion toward said column and underneath saidpunch-carrying arm in order to lea-ire a clear and unobstructed space between said 'rrying am; said" space be i'n-gsufiicient to permit the ei-k to be freely suspended from said end-ana heewhamned.

'4. The c'om'bhation of a frame ear-reg st lities and a lowenwork-su p of wiring its end turned "hwardl-y'in a r'e iier'se "direction to the oyerhanging arm to leave a clear and unobstructed space therearea-mi sniiicient to permit the work on' the end (if said lower arm to" hang freely and to be hail-(nee freely during the (ipljatiils thereon. a t

5. Thecoinbinat'ion of afra'me comprising an overhanging arm carrying operating instrumentalities and'a lower work-supporting e'r'ni having its end turned inwardly in 'a'direction reverse to the "direction of the overhanging arm, the ends of the two arms eaming in opposite "directions but being in approximately Vertical alignment; A machine oftli'eclass described com- 7 A 7 an overhanging anda lower curved having its" end. turned inwardly' in. a direction reverse to thedire'cjti'on'of arm to leave eelear' and unobstructed space permitting work on direction reverse to the direction of the overhanging arm to leave a clear and unobstructed space therearound sufficient to permit the work on the end of said lower arm to hang freely and to be handled freely during the operations thereon and a depending gauge mounted on said overhanging arm for guiding the work on said lower arm said guage being resiliently mounted to permit work to be mounted upon said lower arm.

8. The combination of a frame comprising a base, a column extending upwardly therefrom, a punch-carrying arm extending from said column over said base, a worksupporting arm extending upwardly from said base and having its end turned inwardly under said punch-carrying arm and toward said column to leave a clear and obstructed space between said end and said column and said base sufficient to permit work to hang freely on said end and to be handled freely.

9. The combination of a frame comprising an overhanging arm carrying operating instrumentalities, a lower work-support ing arm having its end turned inwardly in a reverse direction and offset laterally to leave a clear and unobstructed space therearound sufficient to permit the work on the end of said lower arm to hang freely and to be handled freely during the operations thereon, and a guage for guiding the work on said lower arm; said gauge being so arranged as not to interfere with the positioning of the work on said lower arm.

10. In a perforating machine the combination of a base, a punch-carrying arm and a work-supporting arm, both arms being mounted on said base and the end of said work-supporting arm being turned inwardly over said base and beneath said punch-carrying arm but offset laterally in order to leave a clear and unobstructed space between said end and the base and punch-carrying arm; said space being sufficient to permit the work to be freely suspended from said end and freely handled. 11. The combination of a frame comprismg an over-hanging arm carrying operating instrumentalities and a lower worksupporting arm having its end turned inwardly in a direction reverse to the direc tion of the overhanging arm and offset laterally to leave a clear and unobstructed space for permitting the work on the end of said lower arm to hang freely and to be handled freely during the operations thereon. V r

12. In a machine of the class described, a frame comprising an upper outwardly extending punch-carrying arm and a lower work-supporting arm, the end of said lower arm being turned inwardly in a direction reverse to the direction of said upper arm and into alignment with the punch on said upper arm providing an unobstructed hand rest portion on said lower arm outwardly the work-support and a work-clearance space permitting work to be freely-hung and handled on the said end of the lower arm.

13. In a machine of the class described, a base having a work support extending upwardly therefrom, and overhanging the base, said support having a flat work face at the top and having downwardly extending notches at opposite sides, a pair of rollcrs attached to the base beneath the overhanging portion of the work support, and a tape passed over the top of the work support downwardly at each side thereof, each run of the tape passing between the rollers and each around a respective roller in opposite directions.

14. In a machine of the class described, a base, a work support extending upwardly from and longitudinally of and over said base, means on the work support for guiding a paper strip crosswise thereof, guide elements attached to-thebase beneath the overhanging portion of the support andadjacent one another, and a paper strip passing across the top of the work support and having its opposite ends converging downwardly at opposite sides of and beneath the support in V-shaped configuration with the convergent portions passing between the guiding elements and around a respective element;

15. In a machine of the class described, a base having a work support extending upwardly therefrom and over the base and having in its top face a recess crosswise of said work support, a block attached within said recess having grooves at opposite ends extending downwardly toward the base, a pair of adj acently disposed rollers attached to the base having their axes at a right angle to the long dimension of the block, a cushion strip extending across the block and disposed in the grooves theropposite ends thereof extending downwardly in V-shaped configuration, at each side of the support, and between rollers, each around a respective roller.

16. In a machine of the class described, a base having a work arm extending upwardly therefrom and horizontally over and spaced from the base longitudinally thereof, a punch block attached to the upper side of said arm adjacent its end and extending transversely thereof, said block having aligned vertically disposed grooves one in each end face leading toward the base, a pair of guide elements adjacently disposed and attached to the base beneath the arm, a

tape extending across the block engaging the grooves and extending downwardly at the sides of the arm, and opposite runs extending convergently downwardly in V-shaped configuration between the guide elements and each around a respective element and in opposite directions.

17. A machine of the class described comprising a frame made up of an overhangingpunch-carrying arm and a lower work-supporting arm, the latter arm having its end turned inwardly toward the center of the machine and in a direction reverse to the direction of the overhanging arm and being of a diameter sufliciently small topermit it to enter the opening in a closed vamp, and means for feeding a tape or backer strip across the inwardly turned end of said work-supporting arm without interfering with work thereon.

18. A machine of the class described comprising a frame made up of an overhanging punch-carrying arm and a lower work-supporting arm, the end of said arm being turned inwardly to afford a clear and unobstructed space therearound to permit work to be freely handled therein and being of a diameter sufficiently small to enter the opening in a closed vamp, and means for feeding a tape or backer strip across the inwardly turned end of said lower arm in the strip over the end of said lower arm in a direction parallel with the normal line of feed of the work without interfering with work hung on the end of said lower arm.

20. A machine of the class described comprising a frame made up of an overhanging punch-carrying arm and a'lower work-supportingarm having its'end turned inwardly in a reverse direction, and means for feeding a tape or backer strip over the end of said lower arm in a direction parallel with the normal line of feed; the opposite runs of said tape on the two sides of said lower arm being converged downwardly in V- shaped configuration to avoid interference with work hung on the end of said lower arm.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

WILLIAM F. LAUTENSOHLAGER. 

